Death on the Nile Reviews

Kenneth Branagh (Belfast) directs and stars in Death on the Nile, once again stepping into the world of a classic Agatha Christie mystery novel. While the setting may be old, the script from screenwriter Michael Green (Logan) lends a new and relatively faithful take to this tale of murder and betrayal.Master detective Hercule Poirot (Branagh) is vacationing but cannot help observing the small details as he tries to enjoy himself. In doing so, he sees Jacqueline de Bellefort (Emma Mackey) introduce her fiancé Simon Doyle (Armie Hammer) to socialite Linnet Ridgeway (Gal Gadot). At Jacqueline's suggestion Linnet and Simon dance, a performance that turns seductive. Six weeks later in Egypt, he reencounters them, with Linnet and Simon now married while Jacqueline jealously pursues them. Simon and Linnet book a Nile River cruise with their wedding party to escape her. Linnet confesses privately to Poirot that she doesn't trust any of them. This fear proves to be well-founded, as she is murdered that night. Now, Poirot must deduce the killer amongst a dozen people with motives before the ship docks at its final destination.Taking on Agatha Christie's complex plots is a daunting task, but Branagh and Green rise to the task. Every detail of the production is as precise as Poirot's deductions. Each character is meticulously cast and exceptionally played. Some changes to the original book are present, but they enhance, rather than detract, from the plot. Branagh has found his character in Poirot, whom he first portrayed in Murder on the Orient Express. Every nuanced quirk and obsession comes through without being thrown in the viewer's face. While all the actors do exceptionally well, Sophie Okonedo's Salome Otterbourne, Tom Bateman's Bouc, and Russell Brand's Windlesham stand out. Like the fantastic performances and scripting, the sets, settings, and costumes are picture-perfect, and each is rendered with meticulous care. From the interiors of seedy nightclubs to majestic Egyptian landmarks, the audience can feel they are with the cast rather than watching them. The period costumes are impressive, right down to the smallest cufflink. The production is so dedicated that even the liner is an exact replica from the cover of the original 1937 edition of the book. Death on the Nile is a treat for any fan of a good mystery or even good cinema in general. Branagh and Green continue to impress with their take on the Agatha Christie masterpieces. The only mystery remaining is which of her page-turners they might tackle nest. If Death on the Nile is any example, it is a mystery well worth solving.